Playspot: UK, England, London, River Thames, Shepperton Weir

What's it like

Paddler Martyn 'Fraggle' Green - Photo Richard Brown

A large wave and/or hole is formed in the first of the two weirs which can be found on either edge of Shepperton island, near Shepperton Lock. It works best when the Thames is in flood and the weirs above Shepperton are near flooding out. i.e. when Hurley is on a very large 4 gates. The season is usually between late November and late April but is totally rainfall dependent.

At the right water level, the two side gates at Shepperton will be open and forming the beginning of 2 large stoppers, neither of which you want to be in. Between these two large gates are 10 smaller gates, which when they are all open form a wave some 20 foot across and up to 8 feet high. This wave is easily capable of holding 3 boats pulling various moves. Sometimes not all the gates are open but a wave is still formed and a very powerful stopper can still be created, however access from the eddy is easier.

Due to the large number of gates, the wave is totally broken accross the top and has a large number of 'ribs' (see the pictures) along its length, making side surfing very bouncy, but allowing aerial moves to be pulled off and blunts to be cleanly and easily thrown from the ramping 'ribs'. The wave itself being broken, tends to be very retentive allowing rolling up on the wave and continuing a possibility, however flips can hurt due to the speed. Sometimes, a stopper can begin to form. This stopper is extremely powerful, bouncy and fast. However, it allows many vertical ends to be linked, even from fast moves such as blunts.

Paddler Richard 'Tricky' Brown - Photo Martyn Green

Getting on the the wave requires good timing and power, as you are on the edge of the large side gates which form powerful sticky stoppers. This is especially the case when all 10 gates are open.The towback from these stoppers is used to get up to the front of the wave, so a great deal of care must be taken. However it is possible to get onto the wave from both sides at certain water level. The easiest side to get on is usually the right (surfer right) with a speedy diagonal run to catch the wave. The eddy is relatively large though very squirely and low volume noses can suddenly be sucked down leaving you nicely vertical. Below the water is flat and calm, allowing easy rescue and getting on and off the water

Shepperton is a safe weir, with little floating debris compared to other weirs in a a similar flooded state. However, the side stoppers are large and powerful when the weir is in full flood. At lower water levels it is possible to see the bottom of the side stoppers, so if all esle fails a rescue is possible, but the best avoided all together. The weir is often paddled in late spring by Shepperton Slalom club and they use the side gates to create flow for their slalom gate practice. Such conditions produce nice eddy lines for squirting, but only if you are really desperate.

Shepperton offers extremely good access to the weir, with a public footpath going over the weir gates themselves, as well as viewing platforms either side and easy bank access. The weir-lock-surrounding area, is a public beauty spot and is visited by a large number of tourists at the weekend, as such it has very good facilities, ice cream van, tea shop and toilets. However it is asked that you obey property signs and are polite and courteous to other visitors to the area and change discretely. Many of the visitors are curious and often watch from the top of the weir asking questions. So please show our sport off in the best possible light....

How to get there

Take Junction 11 off the M25 and follow the A320 and signs to Chertsey Bridge and Shepperton. This will take you over and past Chertsey weir. On crossing the large hump back bridge of the Thames (immediate left is Chersey weir) carry on to a roundabout and take the 2nd exit (straight on - direction Shepperton) continue for around 2 miles until you reach a second roundabout and take the 3rd exit. (2nd exit continues on to White Water the Canoe Centre). Continue on through the village type houses for around 3/4 of a mile until you see on your left a road sign posted Ferry Lane. Continue down this road until just after a sharp right bend (1/3 mile) and see the lock on your left.

Park near the lock in the parking spaces around the road and change here. Here you can either get in below the lock and paddle around the island (to your right - upstream) until you see the weir,( approx. 3 minutes), Or you can walk over the lock and walk through one of the 2 gates saying 'Environment Agency property'. Follow the footpath and you will see the weir in front of you. Alternatively, speak nicely to the lock keeper and he will be able to direct you. Access is on the bank in front of the Shepperton Slalom clubhouse.

The second less paddled weir is around the top of the 2nd island, which is linked by the first weir.

More info

Whitewater the Canoe Center is the local paddling shop and can give you up to date information on water levels if you visit the shop at Shepperton Marina

Alternatively you can also contact Shepperton Slalom Canoe Club.

Locals

Friendly local boaters with a nice slalom community. Be nice to the local visitors and speak to them, open the gates, get out of the way etc. Please change discretely as well.

The lock keeper opens the gates to the optimum levels asked for by Shepperton Slalom Canoe Club.

Events

No freestyle event yet. Some slalom competitions, usually in March and July.

Info sources

Martyn Green aka Fraggle.

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